Barouch returns to Fire, while team cuts 6 players

The Fire will welcome forward Orr Barouch back to the team after a lengthy stay in Israel while also announcing six cuts on Friday.

Barouch spent the last 18 months on loan to Israeli Premier League team Bnei Yehuda after scoring five goals in 41 games with the Fire between 2001-12.

The Fire carry an unbeaten (4-0) spring record into the final training phase starting Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. They'll play four games in a Desert Diamond Cup tournament opening Wednesday with a match against the Colorado Rapids.

Friday’s cuts included midfielder Freddie Braun, the winner of their 2013 Open Tryout competition, and SuperDraft selection and former Neuqua Valley High School and Marquette star Brian Ciesiulka.

Unsigned players remaining with the Fire are SuperDraft selection Marco Franco, former Karlsruher SC (Germany) defender Parker Walsh and midfielder Grant Ward, on loan from English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur.